Fall Mantel

It's beginning to look a little like fall around here.  I finally got everything done to put my Fall Mantel together this weekend.  I really didn't have to do much because I already had most all these things but, with the temps and humidity we have been having I just was not motivated to put out pumpkins and fall leaves yet  This year I decided to go with the traditional colors of fall.  I love the oranges, golds and browns. that are so prevalent now.  Last year I did a more neutral design and although I liked it I wasn't in love with it.  

Beach Inspired Mantel

Summer is in full swing now....

and with that brings us thoughts of beaches and the ocean.

Living here at the beach really influences the way I do my decorating.        

This year I wavered between doing a 

full out patriotic decor or just skipping it 

and

going straight to my beach decor I love.

Spring Mantel

Written by: Cathy Carroll

Spring has finally arrived at the beach this week.

The sun, the ocean breezes - the warm temps..

and being able to open all the windows
has given me a good dose of Spring fever.

I have been so busy adding pops of yellow here, 

a dash of blue there,

a bird, a rabbit, a flower - whatever hits me at the moment.....
So, let me show you what I have been up to....

Valentine Mantel

Written by: Cathy Carroll

I 

I finally got the Christmas tree and all the decorations down and put away.  This is really late for me as I usually take them down January 1. But, this year we were traveling until the 5th.  Then when we finally made it home I really did not feel like tackling such a big job - so, it sat for a few more days - more like a week.

But, it's down and now the dilemma of what to do with the mantel.  I wanted to do a winter mantel and just fore go the Valentine thing this year but, I was silly enough to ask for Papa's input.  He, of course, wanted a Valentine mantel.  Since I had asked for his input I had to honor it so...   in honor of Papa we have a Valentine mantel.....

Fall Mantel

The fall decorating bug finally hit me this week...

I must say it has taken long enough.  But the temps finally dipped down to 58 the other night and the next day it was gorgeous -  Open the windows, let the breezes in kind of gorgeous. And I got the fall decorating urge almost immediately.

I had already been painting pumpkins, lots of pumpkins and I had my ideas of how I wanted to do the mantel this year.  I had in my head that I wanted whites and neutrals with little pops of metallic color. But alas - best laid plans of mice and men. When I began to do the mantel - things just sort of started popping up there that were unplanned. And... the weird thing was I really liked it and so did the rest of the family. So my mantel looks a bit far from whites and neutrals...

There are a few whites but there is also a lot more color than I had planned to have. But I really like it this year. Simple, colorful and looks like fall without the whole season falling on my mantel...

Starting on the left side I placed some empty wooden frames picked up at a thrift store for $.50 and $1.00 that I painted with my DIY white chalk paint. I was leery of placing empty frames on the mantel because I have a very critical group living here and I could just hear them saying

"What's with the empty frames - aren't you going to put something in them?"

However they totally surprised me and actually liked them empty. You just never can figure these guys out some days. The little bronze pumpkin is a Dollar Tree pumpkin I painted with craft paint then glued some twine I twisted on to it for a vine and two drop cloth fabric leaves. The little blue pumpkin is one from years ago that I painted with blue craft paint then dry brushed with white craft paint.

The center of the mantle needed something low so as not to compete with the resident book page wreath. I simply painted some old spaghetti sauce jars in antique gold, bronze, blue and white craft paints using the same method I did for these vases.

You can read that tutorial here

These are fun to make and I am saving jars and checking out thrift store glass like crazy now.

The right side of the mantel is a stack of old books sans their covers and tied with raffia, an old gold frame we had, and a tall candle stick I've had for  awhile with a deep orange candle tied with raffia. The blue pumpkin is another Dollar Tree pumpkin (what would we do without Dollar Tree?) painted with blue craft paint then dry brushed with white. The little pumpkin is another we had that I painted with antique gold craft paint.

And there you have this years fall mantel. I love it and the family really likes it...

So, have you gotten your mojo on yet and started your fall decorating?

A lot of mine is still sitting in several tubs scattered throughout the living room and dining room/I am going very slowly this year and changing my direction as I go. Ah, well hopefully I will finish soon...

You all have a great day

and

go out there and create something you love...

Click here to see the parties I am linking to this week.

Please visit them and see all the great projects and inspiration found there.... 



Summer Mantle

Good morning friends...

I know it's a little late in the season

but,

today I am sharing my summer mantle...

Since we live at the beach I decided to do

a beach themed mantle

this summer...

I love shells and beachy items

and

I really like the way this mantle turned out...

Starting on the left

I have a small white porcelain dish we had that I put

a

Styrofoam ball wrapped in moss in..

Then there is the perpetual stack of old book

tied with raffia...

On top of that I placed my column

made from an old book

( tutorial can be found here )

and

atop that is a little blue bird

I purchased at Cracker Barrel a few months back...

Next to that

I placed my Mother's large abalone shell

that I have filled with more shells...

I love this old abalone shell-

it has been around ever since I can remember

and

I have always incorporated into my decor

in one way or another....

In the center I placed a candle sitting on a stack of porcelain dishes

with a star fish

and

some small pieces of driftwood...

I scattered pieces of sea glass all along the mantle

between each vignette...

On the right is another vignette...

There is another porcelain dish with a moss ball

and then a shell leaning against it...

Another stack of old books sans covers

and

atop that is a cloche filled with shells...

The cloche I got at a thrift store last month

for $2.00.

I was ecstatic over the find...

It held an old Christmas scene that was beyond salvaging

so I removed it

and

this is what I was left with...

I am loving this little thing...

Above it all is the resident book page wreath.

I love this wreath - it has such presence

and

so does my family

so,

I am thinking this is probably going to remain here

for a long time to come...

So, how is your summer going so far?

Carefree and like this little birds,

I hope....

Until next time

get out there and create something wonderful

I would love it if you would follow me

by clicking on a button on the side bar

for

Bloglovin, Pinterest or Facebook

or

join this site....

and

I love comments ...

Click here to see the parties I am linking to this week.

Please visit them and see all the great projects and inspiration found there.... 

July 4th Decor

Written by Cathy Carroll for Vintage, Paint and more...                                           

Hi, everyone....

Today I am going to show you some of our July 4th decor.  I don't decorate very much for the 4th...We are usually traveling or so very busy I don't have the time.  But, this year I decided to do the mantle and the entryway.

Christmas Mantel

Hi everyone,

The computer is finally working.  What a long process this has been. I have been working diligently on our Christmas decor while trying to get this whole mess fixed. So, today I will show you my Christmas mantle.

I was in a fairly industrious mood this year

and decided to make most of my decor. I wanted a little more of a vintage, homespun, glitzy look (is there such a thing?)

I'll walk you through it......

Let's begin with the stockings. I wanted new ones this year and so decided to make them.

I had seen several kind on pinterest and

throughout the blogosphere that I liked made of burlap. So, I decided to make mine similar but I used drop cloths to make them and good old sheets for the cuffs.

Then I added the glitz - gold glittered initials for each one. I love them - they turned out just as I had pictured them in my mind.

Let's get a close-up look of the top of the mantle first. I fell in love with all the little trees I had been seeing on pinterest

and went a little crazy making them this year. They are so easy and you can find a tutorial for them here.  This little one was made out of upholstery cording. The larger one is made out of burlap. Both are sitting on painted candlesticks.

The burlap one is sitting on my old books

along with one of my Santas. (I collect Old World Santas)

Next, are the Dollar Tree candlesticks I made. These were so simple and easy but actually make a nice addition to the mantle.

Next to them is one of the little trees I made. This one is made from a fancy furry yarn I had hanging around here waiting for something to be done with it.

In the center of the mantle is the JOY sign.

This is a wood cutout that I had from my old

scrap booking days. I simply decoupaged some scrapbook paper on it and then outlined it with gold glitter glue. The easel is also put together, painted, then glittered.  Such a pretty addition to this area.

  

The tree next to the JOY sign is another one I made.  This one is made from felt and gold 

beads.  It also stands on a painted candlestick.  The little gold tree is made from gold cording I had here.

One of the Old World Santas brings up the end of the mantle display.

I really like this mantle with its vintage, homespun, glitzy look......

On the hearth are two more Santas along with a small sled and a teddy bear Miss A placed there.  We are wrapping our packages in brown craft paper with red and gold ribbons this year. My husband thinks I'm silly but, I do like that look.....

On the left side of the heart is one of my favorite Santas - a gift from my sister several years ago.

I really love the mantle this year -with its

homespun, glitzy look....I had a lot of fun making most of this and will be adding a few tutorials later this week.

I have a lot to catch up on here and will definitely try to catch you all up on the fun.....

Are you done with all your decorating yet?

I have a couple more things to do this week

and then I think I can say I am done.....

Until next time enjoy creating something you love.

Click here to see the parties I am linking to this week.

Please visit them and see all the great projects and inspiration found there.... 

Fall Mantle

Good Morning Everyone...

                        I am still in the midst of my fall decorating -
                                        busy cutting, gluing, painting, etc.
                                       Trying to make most of my decor from recycled items.

                        Most of my ideas and inspiration has come from PINTEREST
                                         this year.
                         I love Pinterest - it's the greatest thing since sliced bread.....
                                         or at least I think so.
            
                         I have been working on our mantle - most of the decor is
                                         Pinterest found ideas that I just had to try.

This picture is not the best - I have trouble with pics in this room

because of the lighting

and positioning of the fireplace.

But, this is our mantle this year.

I'll take all the components apart for you.

This is a book page wreath.

You can find the instructions for these all over blogland.

There are so many ways to make this

but,

everyone is quite simple.

I am a lover of script on paper, furniture, fabric - you name it.

It absolutely speaks to me.

Therefore, it was a no brainer when I saw this wreath.

I had to make one.

So, darn simple - I made mine with

a round piece cut from a packing box

and

a book I bought for $.10.

And boy what an impact this $.10 makes on that wall.

I love it....

I also fell in love with subway art.

(Again words on wood)

I had Papa cut me a board and I painted it with chalkboard paint.

Then I had planned on painting subway art

on it in white.

However, I found this transfer page I had left over from another project.

It was perfect.

Just positioned the transfer on the board and rubbed it

with the little stick that comes with it.

This one happens to be made by Karen Foster

but is several years old.

You can find ones like these in the scrapbook section of your craft store.

I love the way it turned out

and

how it looks on the mantel.

The little burlap banner was so simple to make.

I think it adds just the right touch to the rest of the mantle.

(I posted the instructions here)

 On the left side I filled a jar with potpourri

and

set it on old books tied with raffia.

It gives just the right vintage look

I am looking for.

On the right side I filled a vase

with the potpourri and a candle.

Then set it on a stack of old books.

The rest is just leaves, pumpkins and apples

filling in the space.

These pics really don't do it justice

but,

I really like it.

It's so fall-ish with all it's colors of orange, golds and browns.

And, I have Pinterest to thank for it.

What would I do without you Pinterest?

Probably have the same ole' boring mantle I had last year.

Have you started your fall decorating yet? 

Are you using any inspiration from Pinterest?

Would love to hear about what you are doing....

Get out there and create something beautiful

and

enjoy your life....

                                                                            I am lovin' my life in Carolina

                                                                         Cathy

Linking to

PJH Totally Transformed Tuesday

 http://pjhdesignsoneofakind.blogspot.com/2012/09/totally-transformed-tuesday-6.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PjhDesigns+%28PJH+Designs%29

and at

Debbie Dos

Newbie Partyhttp://debbie-debbiedoos.com/fall-tablescapes.html

and at

Snap's

Show and Tell Linky No. 16

http://snapcreativity.com/show-and-tell-linky-091912/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed: SnapTheConference (snap the conference)

and at

Feathered Nest Friday

French Country Cottage

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2012/09/feathered-nest-friday_20.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed: blogspot/QoLtm (FRENCH COUNTRY COTTAGE)

        
                                         

Fall Banner

 

Good Morning Everyone,

 

 

It's starting to feel like fall here at the beach.

Well, as close to fall as you can feel

with

temps in the high 70's to low 80's.

 

But,

with the kids in school

and

the cooler days

and even,

some color changes in the leaves

I am feeling like fall.

 

So, Miss A and I decided it's time to start decorating for fall.

We have a very simple project for you today.

 

 

 

A fall banner made of burlap.

 

So simple.

 

 

We started with some burlap -

it doesn't take much about a fourth yard to make this little banner.

 

Cut 4 squares out each 4"x4".

I then pulled some of the strings to make it a little raveled

on the edges.

I like that shabby look.

 

 

Miss A wanted to make her own

so she has her four squares also.

 

I then cut the word F-A-L-L

out of cardstock with my Cricut.

For this banner I used a dark maroon color.

 

 

Then I used these metallic rub-on paints on each letter.

You can get these in your scrapbook area of your craft stores.

Just rub a little of your desired color on each letter.

I used the bronze.

 

 

It will look like this when your done.

Adds a little depth and interest to each letter.

Then I arranged a couple of leaves

behind each letter,

mixing them up a little for interest

as you can see above.

Using hot glue I glued each piece onto the burlap.

So simple - right?

 

 

And here they are.

Then I strung each of them onto some raffia.

You can get this in most craft stores.

I have had mine for years.

 

 

And, Wallah.....

You have the cutest little banner

to hang wherever you like.

Such a simple project

that

adds such a lot to the decor.

 

I love it...

That's it for today.

 

Have you started your fall decorating yet? 

What have you been working on?

 

 

So, get out there and do something fun

but,

most of all

enjoy your life.

 

                                                                               Lovin' my life in Carolina

                                                                                    Cathy

 

 

 

Linking to

Sand and Sisal Countdown to Fall Party

http://www.sandandsisal.com/2012/09/countdown-to-fall-party-front-porch.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sandandsisal%2Fdnfy+%28Sand+%26+Sisal%29

 

 

and at

Fox Hollow Cottage

Pinterest Party

http://www.foxhollowcottage.com/

 

 

and at

You Are Talking Too Much

Meet Me Monday Linky Party

http://youaretalkingtoomuch.com/2012/09/meet-me-monday-linky-party-14/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FPRHSB+%28You%27re+talking+too+much......%29